I have, like some others here, lived though the entire 50+ years of NHL Canuckdom and survived some bleak times--for those old enough, the Bill Laforge coaching era was probably the rock bottom, but Messier era was pretty sad too. Should've rebuilt 10 years ago; it's doubtful that even with this lauded front office in charge that management has a totally free hand to do what they want. When Rutherford speaks, sounds like his hands were tied with regards to Boudreau, and also possibly with trading Miller. I am 61, I don't know that I will live long enough to wait out the Aquilini ownership, and as long as they have the team, I can't see this groundhog day cycle of stapling overpriced aging vets to a mediocre lineup in hopes so getting a little playoff revenue changing.
Someone needs to somehow convince Francesco that you can't win it all without drafting high, and maybe for more than one year. Also, cap space is more valuable than retaining your 30year old+ assets on long term deals. I know they felt they couldn't lose Miller without getting more than they were being offered, but even with a crap return, cap space is king.
Nobody is manufacturing quality defensemen anywhere and those who have them hang onto them like grim death, so I don't see how we get past this without drafting some. In the meantime, if they don't want to step backwards to move forward, then the only other option is someone like Trotz, who can somehow get a group to play full team defence in a system that will cover for some of the lack of skill on D. Word is he wants his next job to include the option to move into management at some point; can't see him and the Aquilinis being a match even when Rutherford is too old to do it any more.
Will go eat a box of halloween candy to seek some joy in the meantime...